Analysis: Does educational summit invite give Zorc better shot at Indian River School Board seat?

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — One of the 15 applicants for the vacant School Board seat already appears to have the attention of the governor, but Laura Zorc's residency issue and anti-Common Core stance could counterbalance that weight.

Zorc hopes Gov. Rick Scott appoints her to serve the remaining 15 months of Jeff Pegler's term after he resigned in July. Scott hasn't started interviewing applicants and his office said there is no timeline and anyone interested can still apply.

But Zorc was one of 36 participants Scott chose to attend his three-day educational summit on the future of the state's education, school grades and testing, held in Clearwater last week.

A co-founder of Florida Parents Against Common Core, Zorc said she was chosen because of her work this summer speaking out about the new national standards aimed at making students college and career ready by 2014-2015. Frank Fuller, educational adviser to Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, recommended her, she said.

Scott did not attend the summit of educational leaders, schools superintendents, teachers and parents, and Zorc never talked with him, she said. Still, she acknowledged her participation could help her win the seat.

"I think it definitely holds weight," Zorc said.

RESIDENCY ISSUE

Shoo-in or not, Zorc does not live in District 2 as required.

And a move with her husband, Indian River County Commissioner Tim Zorc, would make him ineligible for his seat.

School Board members must live in the district they represent even though voters cast ballots regardless of where they live. If appointed, Zorc would have to meet all eligibility requirements upon appointment. Zorc said she is willing to do what she needs to do to fill the seat if appointed.

Applicants who live in the district, some of whom were bested by Pegler in 2010, have the residency advantage. Harry La Cava, another applicant, was the district's former superintendent.

OUTSPOKEN AGAINST COMMON CORE

Zorc has been outspoken against Common Core, which the district is in the process of implementing.

Board members have not taken a stance one way or the other on Common Core, and most likely won't because it's not something they can change. The Florida Department of Education approved Common Core in 2010 and mandated all districts implement it by 2014-2015. Over the years, board members have spoken out over what they see are unfunded mandates from the state, especially when they see districts told to implement a program without money attached.

Legislators Zorc had been trying to see this summer and finally met at the summit invited her to Tallahassee to speak to the Education Committee during session, she said.

Zorc said her stance would be an asset not a liability on the school board.

"I think I would be a sounding board. I'm going to be there to monitor it," she said.

Board Chairman Carol Johnson said she didn't foresee any problems if Zorc were to be appointed. School Board candidates often have an issue to base their campaign, she said.

"It just happens her issue is Common Core," she said. "I applaud her passion."

The board consists of very different people, but who respect each other, Johnson said. Zorc would be treated with the same courtesies as anyone else who might be appointed, she said.

"(If appointed,) I think she will be received very well," Johnson said.

Zorc said she wants to know the facts about Common Core and wants to see more discussions about it before it is fully implemented.

"If I'm wrong," she said, "I'll say I'm wrong."

THE APPLICANTS

Fifteen people are still vying for the seat. Patty Vasquez has withdrawn from consideration.